Abstract

Ant venom is any of, or a mixture of, irritants and toxins inflicted by ants. Most ants spray or inject a venom, the main constituent of which is formic acid only in the case of subfamily Formicinae.

Ant stings

There are only rare examples of stinging ants. Some notable examples include "Solenopsis" (fire ants), "Pachycondyla", "Myrmecia" (bulldog ants), and "Paraponera" (bullet ants). In the case of fire ants, the venom consists of alkaloid and protein components. Stinging ants cause a cutaneous condition that is different from that caused by biting venomous ants. Particularly painful are stings from fire ants, although the bullet ant's sting is considered by some to be the most painful insect sting.

First aid for fire ant bites includes external treatments and oral medicines.

- External treatments: a topical steroid cream (hydrocortisone), or one containing "Aloe vera"

- Oral medicines: antihistamines

- Applying zinc oxide or calamine lotion .

Severe allergic reactions can be caused by ant stings in particular and venomous stings in general, including severe chest pain, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath, serious swelling, fever, dizziness, and slurred speech; they can be fatal if not treated.